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HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL:

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HAZLE TWP. — Only Central Dauphin East stood between Hazleton Area and avenging all four of its losses from last season.

The Cougars treated the visiting Panthers with even more disdain than they did Scranton Prep, Williamsport and Meyers earlier this season, running out to a seven-point lead in the first 90 seconds and cruising to a 81-47 non-league victory Saturday.

“Their lineup was kind of decimated. ... They’ve gone through a lot this year. ... But, like I told our guys, we had to play the guys that were here, and we did,’’ said Hazleton Area head coach Mike Joseph, whose team has won eight straight games since a loss to defending PIAA Class 6A champ Reading on Jan. 20

CD East outlasted Hazleton Area in an overtime shootout last season, but the Cougars were the only ones with the hot shooting hands in their rematch, especially early.

Da’mir Faison scored nine of his 13 points in the first quarter,, showcasing his touch with jumpers from both elbows and a rim-rocking dunk off a feed from big man Josh Samec.

Jeff Planutis added seven of his game-high 17 points in the period, which ended with the Cougars in command 25-9.

“We had to play against a little bit different style,’’ Joseph said. “They made us work in the full court, which was good.’’

The second quarter also belonged to the locals as Planutis wrapped two layups around four points from Joey Grula, Planutis threw down a one-handed slam and Grula drove for another deuce, hiking Hazleton Area’s lead to 37-14.

By halftime, it swelled to 44-15 following an Adrian free throw and Faison putback.

Reserves Scotty Shamany and Kyle Franek got into the scoring act in the third quarter, as the former knocked in four straight points and Franek later tacked on five of his own.

Joseph used every one of his 14 players.

The Cougars (19-1) will swing back into Wyoming Valley Conference play with a home game against Pittston Area on Tuesday. A win would give Hazleton Area its third consecutive Division I crown.

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